End of Life Wisdom
advice to the living about dying
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ABOUT US
End of Life Wisdom was created to assist you navigate through the challenges presented at end of life.   After years of answering the questions of patients, colleagues, family and friends, Marcy Bernstein has extended her knowledge to others in need of end of life guidance through Advice to the Living about Dying.

BIOGRAPHIES
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Marcy Rosen Bernstein, LCSW worked as a New York City hospice  social worker for many years.  Marcy earned her MSW at Fordham University and is a graduate of the End-of-Life Practitioners Program of the Metta Institute, Sausalito, California.    Marcy also earned the New York University Post Master's Certificate in Palliative and End of Life Care.   She was a hospice volunteer for many years at the Richard C. Rosenthal Hospice in Stamford. As a psycho-social counselor she served thousands of patients and families.  Her expertise and compassion helped to normalize and bring resolution to the end of life challenges of her patients and their loved ones. Marcy's previous hospice affiliations include the VNA of Southwestern Connecticut, MJHS Hospice, Jacob Perlow Hospice, and Continuum Hospice.  Marcy served on Continuum's Ethics Committee and has been a guest lecturer at the University of Connecticut.

Marcy created End of Life Wisdom to assist those who have questions about how to proceed when confronted with the challenges presented at end of life.   After years of answering the questions of patients, colleagues, family and friends, Marcy saw the need to extend her knowledge to others in need of end of life guidance through Advice to the Living about Dying. 


Advisory Board
Hajime Issan Koyama.  Rev. Issan Koyama is a former Journalist and corporate/governmental organization consultant. Issan started to incorporate "Mindfulness Practice" into his work in 1980's, and started to offer meditation instructions to people with HIV/AIDS in 1991. Ordained under Japanese Soto Zen Tradition in 2002, Issan has worked as a hospice spiritual counselor/clinical chaplain. Issan's affiliations include Maitri Compassionate Care & Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco, Jacob Perlow Hospice, Continuum Hospice Care, MJHS Hospice and VNS Hospice in New York City. Issan is an alumni of Metta Institute in San Francisco, the Nation's leading advocate of "Contemplative Care".  Issan co-financed and established a medical facility in Japan that hosts medical clinics and residences of geriatric/palliative patients. Issan's work has been featured in both American and Japanese media such as New York Times and Asahi Shimbun.  Issan is currently offering mindfulness practice instruction to hospice clinicians, is also a board member of Brooklyn Zen Center. 

Amy Levine is a licensed clinical social worker who has extensive experience in hospice care and mental health counseling as well as in program development and professional training.   Amy is the Executive Director and Clinical Director of the Doula Program to Accompany and Comfort.  This organization provides specially trained volunteers to individuals facing the end of life alone. Amy received a Masters of Social Work degree and a Certificate in Worksite Wellness from New York University, and is a graduate of the End-of-Life Practitioners Program of the Metta Institute, Sausalito, California. She has served on several committees to include the National Association of Social Worker’s Gerontology Committee and NYU Post Master’s Spirituality and Social Worker curriculum committee. Amy has also been a co-presenter with Ira Byock, MD.

Susan A. Barber has been a hospice volunteer coordinator since 1997.   Prior to becoming a volunteer coordinator, Susan spent 10 years working with people who were dying as well as facilitating groups for young adults with life threatening illness.  She has worked with Stephen & Ondrea Levine, and the Center for Attitudinal Healing. She is a graduate of the End-of-Life Practitioners Program of the Metta Institute, Sausalito, California and the CCARE Institute's Culitvating Compassion class.   She is a founding member of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, CA. 





      When other guest professionals are contributing their biographies will appear here.




ADVICE COLUMN

Responses to questions about end of life challenges and issues answered by hospice professionals and posted on the website.


ARTICLES

Informational essays, research papers, inspiration, and learning from a variety of sources.


End of Life Wisdom
Advice to the Living about Dying


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End of Life Wisdom. 
All rights reserved.
GLOSSARY

Definitions of end of life
terms frequently used by healthcare professionals.


RESOURCES

Links to sites with
information about hospice, advance directives, care-giving, death and dying.